^WHERE: Beals Point, Folsom, CA

(Click on pictures to enlarge)

I’ve decided to try out this Thursday night Folsom Lake trail series. Next month I’m running two trail half marathons as part of relays with Troy. One at Wildflower and one at Auburn Worlds Toughest so that means I need to kick my tooshy into shape!

Quite a dedicated group of racers today. Pouring rain appears imminent but that's not stopping anyone. These trail runners are definitely laid back.  Makes it seem like a training run. I’m donning my new FCA jersey and warm up suit so I feel a little overdressed.

Start time is 6:15pm.  I’m told that the 10k is going to be around 7 miles due to trail construction. I’m up for it but I know I’ll have to pace myself on the 2 loop course. No matter how I feel, I am going to smile and encourage others out there today. I want others to see Christ through me and I want to honor those who cannot run out there with me like Troy and Jamie Whitmore. 

We line up on a narrow levee. I’m next to a nice girl who is doing the race for the first time. She figured it was worth trying since she lives just down the street. I admire her will to go for it especially on such a ominous day! I love to see folks just go out there and see what they can do. I think most people are pleasantly surprised when they try these endurance events.

Ready, set, go! I didn’t place myself in a good spot and have to patiently look for opportunities to move up to a better position. Once we get on those trails it’s going to be hard to pass. I squeeze by enough folks to be in a good spot before hitting the trails. Despite earlier rain today, the trails are actually nice and hard packed and makes for smooth running. The first mile we mostly fly downhill and around many surprise corners.  My pace is quicker than planned but the adrenaline is pumping and I feel great for now.  I forgot to pray beforehand so I pray now, thanking the Lord for our babysitter and this opportunity to race here and for Troy to be able to get out on his bike this evening.   Mile 1 is 7:19.  Oh boy!

We hit the first big hill and I continue to feel strong.  I'm able to close the gap on a few people ahead of me.  I power up the hill and in the back of my mind I'm wondering if this going to hinder me later.  A nice semi-flat stretch awaits me at the top and I push again.  I can see a few girls up ahead.  I zero in on one in red.  Any of these girls could be in the 5K and only doing 1 loop.  I'll still try to stay with them.  I come up on a girl and have to hold back until I find a grassy spot to sneak by.  The next turn opens into a nice wide trail...I realize I could have waited!  The trail snakes down into a ravine and I can see my competition.  I'll have to keep pushing to get closer.  Now we're in a patch of trees and it's beautiful.  For a moment it's like I'm all by myself and then I see a photographer in the trees.  I smile and don't have to fake at all that I'm enjoying this.  Mile 2 is 8:22.  That's fine considering the hill but I do feel a little tired.

We follow the same trail, in and out of trees, almost to mile 3.  Mile 3 is 8:06.  We continue onto another trail and I find myself in a big meadow area and I can see the girl in red.  She's still quite a ways ahead.  I keep the pace steady and strong.  Another cameraman takes a shot as I jump over a little stream and some mud.  This is real cross country right here.  If it starts to rain, it'll get really interesting.

I'm running parallel to the levy we started on and looking up I can can see other 10K+ers going out for lap 2.  I don't see the girl in red.. she must have finished the 5k.  I do see a girl in grey, though.  Her running looks so effortless that it appears that she's just out for a fun training day.  I don't know if I can catch her but I will certainly try. 

Mile 4 is 7:44.  I'm definitely not feeling as strong starting this 2nd loop. The rolling hills seem to be much harder.  Coming from "hilly" Auburn I realize that I have more training to do before these seem easier.  I see those behind me still heading back on the 1st loop.  I smile and try to say something encouraging..."allright", "way to go".  I see young kids, too, and give them extra encouragement.  The thing that amazes me, besides the fact that a kid can finish a 5K, is that they can run it by themselves.  At the Davis Stampede, Anna chose to run the 1/2 mile alone and there was a few minutes where we couldn't see her and then she just appeared running along.  I guess it's just the inner will to keep going at it that's mind boggling to me!  I see a mom helping her young daughter up a hill and tell them "great teamwork"...that just warms my heart.

I'm heading up the big hill again and this time my legs feel heavy and they are begging me to walk.  I press on and try to keep the legs going.  At the top I see the girl in grey and she seems to be the same distance away.  I push this section again reminding myself that anything can happen.  I get a sneak peak at the girl again as I come into the ravine area.  She continues to look effortless...amazing.  Mile 5 is 8:27.